YouTube autoplay is on by default, but you can turn it off in your account settings
YouTube automatically plays the next video in a queue or recommended list when your current video ends. This happens on all devices — phone, tablet, computer — unless you disable it. The setting lives in your YouTube account preferences, not in your browser, so one change stops autoplay everywhere you're signed in.
Autoplay is separate from the autoplay toggle that appears on your screen during playback. That button pauses autoplay temporarily. To turn it off permanently, you need to go into your account settings.
Key Takeaways
- Autoplay is controlled in your YouTube account settings, not by the pause button that appears on your screen during playback.
- On a computer, go to your profile picture, select Settings, then find Autoplay under the General section.
- On a phone or tablet, open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then Autoplay.
- Turning off autoplay stops videos from playing automatically on all devices where you're signed into that YouTube account.
- You can turn autoplay back on anytime using the same steps.
Disable autoplay on a computer or web browser
Open YouTube in your browser and sign in to your account. Look for your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen — it's usually a small circle with your initial or photo inside it. Click on it.
A dropdown menu will appear. Select Settings from the list. You'll be taken to your account settings page. On the left side, you'll see a menu with different sections. Click on General. Scroll down until you see the Autoplay section. You'll see a toggle switch next to "Autoplay" with two options: one for autoplay on the home feed and one for autoplay on other pages. Click the toggle to turn it off. The switch will change color or position to show it's now disabled.
YouTube will remember this setting. The next time you finish watching a video, the next one won't start automatically.
Disable autoplay on the YouTube mobile app
Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner. A menu will slide up from the bottom of your screen. Tap Settings.
In the Settings menu, look for Autoplay. Tap on it. You'll see options for autoplay on your home feed and autoplay on other screens. Tap the toggle next to each one to turn it off. The toggle will change to show it's disabled.
Close the Settings menu by tapping outside of it or swiping down. Your autoplay is now off on this device.
The difference between the autoplay button and the autoplay setting
While you're watching a video, you might see a toggle or button labeled "Autoplay" near the bottom right of the player. This button pauses autoplay for that one viewing session only. When you close YouTube or start a new session, autoplay turns back on if your account setting allows it.
The autoplay button is a quick pause. The account setting is permanent. If you want autoplay off all the time, you need to change the account setting, not just click the button during playback.
What happens when autoplay is off
When you turn off autoplay, YouTube stops automatically playing the next video when your current video ends. Instead, the video player will stop and show you a black screen or a pause state. You'll see a list of recommended videos below the player, and you can click on any of them to watch next.
This gives you control over what you watch. You won't accidentally sit through videos you didn't choose, and you won't lose track of time while YouTube plays video after video.
Turn autoplay back on if you change your mind
If you decide you want autoplay on again, follow the same steps you used to turn it off. Go to Settings, find Autoplay, and click the toggle to turn it back on. You can do this anytime, and the change takes effect immediately.
Some people turn autoplay off during work or study time and turn it back on for relaxation. YouTube lets you switch between the two as often as you want.
Autoplay settings on shared or public computers
If you use YouTube on a computer that other people also use, remember that autoplay is tied to your account, not the device. If you're signed in, your autoplay setting applies. If someone else signs into their account on the same computer, their autoplay setting applies instead.
If you use YouTube without signing in (in an incognito or private browser window), autoplay will be on by default. To control autoplay on a shared device, sign into your account before watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off autoplay affect other people who use my YouTube account?
Yes. The autoplay setting is tied to your account, not your device. Anyone who signs into your account will see autoplay turned off. If you share your account with family members, consider whether they want autoplay on or off before making the change.
Does autoplay use more data on my phone?
Yes, autoplay can use more mobile data because it plays videos you didn't choose to watch. Turning it off saves data, especially if you're on a limited plan. This is one reason many people disable autoplay on their phones but leave it on at home.
What if the autoplay toggle isn't showing up in my settings?
Make sure you're signed into your YouTube account. Autoplay settings only appear when you're logged in. If you're using an older version of the YouTube app, update it from your phone's app store. If the setting still doesn't appear, try signing out and signing back in.
Can I turn off autoplay for just the YouTube home page but keep it on for videos?
YouTube's settings don't let you split autoplay that way. You can turn autoplay on or off for your entire account, but you can't choose different settings for different parts of YouTube. The setting controls both your home feed and video playback.
Does autoplay work the same way on YouTube TV?
YouTube TV has its own autoplay settings separate from regular YouTube. If you use YouTube TV, you'll need to adjust autoplay in the YouTube TV app settings, not in your main YouTube account settings. The steps are similar, but the location is different.